DE102009037845A1 - Disposable element, system for pumping and method for pumping a liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a disposable element comprising at least a first part, in which in the surface channel structures are excluded, and a sealing this second part covering, wherein the first part and / or the second part formed largely rigid and / or on a rigid support structure is / are applied and wherein these first and / or second parts, however, have at least one flexibly formed area. Furthermore, the invention relates to a system for pumping and a method for pumping a liquid.

Description

The present invention relates to a disposable element comprising at least a first part, in which in the surface channel structures are excluded, and a sealing this second part covering, wherein the first part and / or the second part formed largely rigid and / or on a rigid support structure is / are applied and wherein these first and / or second parts, however, have at least one flexibly formed area. Furthermore, the invention relates to a system for pumping and a method for pumping a liquid.

Disposable cassettes are already known from the prior art, which are preferably used in the field of analysis technology. For example, these cassettes have multiple layers that have rigid and flexible regions and are manufactured integrally using two-component injection molding technology. The flexible regions can be designed, for example, as pumping chambers, which can be pressed in by a corresponding actuator, so that a fluid displacement takes place. A pumping movement and / or corresponding valve functions in the flexible areas are thus generated by mechanically driven plungers. However, such mechanical interfaces create problems in coupling the disposable cassettes to a corresponding machine. On the one hand, the so-called disposable can not be applied completely smoothly to the machine part, since there are always protrusions or recesses of the mechanical interfaces. On the other hand, mechanical activation of the diaphragms can cause damage, for example due to the mechanical flexing movements of the flexible areas, which can lead to failure of the component. Such a corresponding disposable cassette is for example from the DE 102 39 597 A1 known.

Next describes the US 6,261,065 B1 a blood treatment system connected to a blood separation device. This system comprises a cassette having at least one pneumatically actuated pump.

The US 2007/0278155 A1 describes a mechanical fluid system with disposable cassettes having flexible layers. For highly accurate fluid balance compensation chamber systems are described which have a first and a second pumping chamber and are separated by a flexible membrane. By flowing a first amount of fluid into a first chamber of the compensation chamber, the corresponding amount of fluid is displaced from the second chamber. For this Ausgleichspumpbewegung may be incorporated on the separating the two chambers flexible membrane, a permanent magnet, which can be moved by external electromagnets.

From the DE 58 93 98 Furthermore, an electromagnetically operated diaphragm pump is known, which is provided in particular for ventilating aquariums. By means of an electromagnet, a magnet armature is caused to oscillate, so that an air pulse can be generated, which can be introduced by means of a pressure tube, for example in the aquarium.

From the DE 199 63 306 A1 is known a drive for blood pumps, which is designed in the form of a loudspeaker drive. In this case, the drive has a magnet system and a controlled by absolute displacement transducer, mechanically sliding piston with reversible and / or turn-off windings, in which the piston is mechanically fixed.

The US 4,459,977 relates to a device for diastolic blood terroperfusion, which may comprise an electromagnetically operated diaphragm pump.

The US 4,498,850 describes a pump with a by a magnetically activated membrane divided into two chambers Pumpkammerausnehmung, which is embedded in a pumping chamber housing. Around the recess there are several means by which a magnetic field is applied, so that the magnetically activated membrane can be moved to trigger a pumping movement.

The WO 2006/123329 A2 describes a therapeutic fluid delivery device, in particular an insulin delivery device, which is handy and preferably in check card format. In connection with this device, a diaphragm pump is described which cooperates with two diaphragm valves, which are respectively connected upstream and also electromagnetically activated.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to further develop a disposable element of the type mentioned in an advantageous manner, in particular to the effect that it can be operated without contact, easy and safe operable and able to pump highly accurate fluids, especially medical fluids.

This object is achieved by a disposable element with the features of claim 1. Thereafter, it is provided that a disposable element of at least a first part in which in the surface channel structures are excluded, and this sealingly covering second part, wherein the first part and / or the second part for the most part rigidly formed and / or applied to a rigid support structure is / and these first and / or second parts, however, have at least one flexibly formed area. It is further provided that the at least one flexible region has at least one permanent magnet and / or at least one permanent-magnetic region, so that liquid can be displaced by applying a magnetic field by means of the flexible region.

This results in the advantage that, in order to generate the movement of the flexible region with the permanent magnet, no mechanical interface is now necessary with a machine part which drives the flexible region. Rather, it is now possible to act without contact on the flexible area to thereby displace fluid. Due to the omission of the plunger, which have so far acted on corresponding flexible areas of known disposable elements such as disposable cassettes, the coupling of the disposable element according to the invention is simplified to a corresponding machine. For now a substantially smooth application to the corresponding machine part is possible, since due to the omission of the mechanical, movable interface components now a correspondingly smooth, adapted surface can be provided. In addition, it can no longer cause mechanical damage due to the contactless activation, which minimizes the probability of failure of the component. In addition, there is the advantage that the energy consumption for activating a pump, which may be formed for example by the flexible region, can be reduced. Next there is the advantage that the corresponding device in which the disposable element can be used, can now be made simpler and more compact.

It is conceivable that common thermoplastic elastomers are used for the flexible area. Preferably, polymer blends of SEES and PP can be used. These mixtures have the advantage that they are steam sterilizable. Alternatively, it is conceivable that other mixtures can be used, provided that they are compatible with current sterilization methods in medical technology. It is conceivable that the first and the second part are formed in a layered manner. Also, the support structure may be layered, and for example, the trained as a completely flexible layer first part in which the channel structures are formed wear. In this connection, it is advantageously conceivable that the first part forms a middle layer which is sandwiched by the support structure on one side and on the other side by the sealingly covering second layer which is formed by the second part.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the disposable element is produced by a method in which rigid and flexible regions of the first and / or second part are produced integrally by means of two-component injection molding.

Furthermore, it is advantageously conceivable that carrier structure and / or first and / or second part are manufactured in one piece by means of two-component injection molding. This results in the advantage of being able to inexpensively and simply form the advantageous structure of the disposable element with rigid and flexible regions in only a single injection molding process.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the at least one flexible region is formed with the permanent magnet and / or the permanent magnetic region in the manner of a chamber and / or a dome. In this context, it is conceivable, for example, that the chamber bottom is formed by the second part, which covers the first part in a sealing manner. This results in the advantage that a fluid-dynamic favorable and at the same time easily realizable pumping chamber can be formed.

It is advantageous if the chamber-like flexible region is a pumping chamber of a diaphragm pump.

In addition, it can be provided that the flexible region has at least one inlet and at least one outlet, wherein inlet and outlet are each formed by a channel structure and / or are connected to a channel structure. It is conceivable in this context that in each case a valve element is present in the area or in functional connection with inlet and outlet, so that the flexible area can be used as a diaphragm pump. Thus, it can be provided for the suction phase of the pump chamber of the diaphragm pump that the valve element is closed in the process and the valve element is open in the inlet. For the ejection phase, the valve element is then closed in the inlet and opened in the flow.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that the permanent magnet and / or the permanent magnetic region is an insert that is completely encased by the flexible region. This results in the advantage that such an insert can be inserted into the injection mold prior to the plastic injection molding, in particular before the start of the two-component injection molding and then completely encased by the flexible portion of the disposable during manufacture. Thereby makes it possible to easily incorporate the permanent magnet and / or the permanent magnetic region in the pumping segment and further to achieve the advantage that the permanent magnet and / or the permanent magnetic region has no fluid contact due to its sheath.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the permanent magnet and / or the permanent magnetic region is arranged in a part of the flexible region, which faces a wall, so that by applying a magnetic field with a first orientation of the flexible region in the direction of the wall is movable and / or in that, by applying a magnetic field with a second orientation, the flexible region is movable away from the wall. The wall may advantageously be an area of the second part. It is conceivable that upon application of a magnetic field in the first orientation advantageously a reduction of the pumping chamber volume takes place and upon application of the magnetic field with the second orientation a provision of the chamber walls and the pumping chamber is in this step already in the intake phase again.

It is also possible that the flexible region has a circumferentially concave side wall which has a diameter which reduces toward the region with the permanent magnet and / or the permanent magnetic region. This can advantageously be realized in that the flexible region is a substantially circular executed, dome-like pumping chamber of a diaphragm pump. In this case, the region with the permanent magnet and / or the permanent magnetic region is arranged in the upper region of the chamber when the wall, which is formed, for example, by the second part of the disposable element, is regarded as chamber bottom.

It can be advantageously provided that the side wall springs and opposes a pressing of the flexible area a spring force, which causes a self-resetting of the flexible area when relieved. The flexible region or the membrane of the diaphragm pump can thus be designed such that when activated from its rest position in the membrane, or in the side walls of the membrane, builds up a material tension, so that simultaneously sets a restoring force. By applying the magnetic field, therefore, in order to produce a pumping function, the membrane only has to be pressed in, so that a magnetic field only has to be applied in a single deflection direction. The corresponding opposing movement to return then takes place solely from the restoring force of the flexible region or the membrane. A reversal of the magnetic field is thus not required.

However, the backward movement of the membrane can also, as already described above, be assisted by a reversed magnetic field. However, this is preferably possible only if a permanent magnet is used as the magnetic element in the membrane. The membrane can thus be operated continuously from one side only with a homogeneous force profile.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a system for pumping with the features of claim 11. Thereafter, it is provided that a system for pumping a disposable element according to one of claims 1 to 10 and a receiving device, in which the disposable element is inserted, has. In this case, the system has at least one means for generating a magnetic field, by means of which the flexible region of the disposable element with the at least one permanent magnet and / or at least one permanent magnetic region is movable.

In addition, it can be provided that the receiving device positively engages around the disposable element and / or that the means for generating a magnetic field is an electromagnetic coil, preferably an electromagnetic coil provided with an iron core, the electromagnetic coil being arranged in a housing with a receptacle for the flexible region is.

For driving the electromagnet in alternating field operation, a sinusoidal voltage curve is advantageous. It can thus be avoided voltage spikes that could cause damage to the electronics of the system. Other voltage curves are also conceivable, if an improved pump power is to be achieved.

The pumping movement of the membrane is advantageously correlated with other functional parts of the machine side or the disposable element. In particular, the membrane position can be regulated with valve units on the disposable element. After an appropriate arrangement so liquids can be pumped or sucked.

Furthermore, the result of an electromagnetic control is the advantage that the system is able to control the pumping rate. The pumping rate may also be varied by electrical regulation and respond to instructions from a corresponding control unit. In this context, it is conceivable that the system has appropriate control and / or control means. It is also conceivable that a calibration or due to previously known volume ratios and conclusions about the pump power can be drawn on the basis of the electrical control. This makes it possible to achieve a highly accurate balance of the delivered liquid volume.

It is particularly advantageous if the system is a blood treatment device, in particular a dialysis machine. Likewise, it can be provided that it is an analysis unit.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for pumping a liquid with the features of claim 14. Thereafter, it is provided that in a method for pumping a liquid by applying a magnetic field, a flexible region with at least one permanent magnet and / or at least one permanent magnetic region a disposable element, the liquid is displaced. In this case, the disposable element consists of at least a first part in which channel structures are excluded in the surface, and a sealing this second part covering, wherein the first part and / or the second part formed largely rigid and / or applied to a rigid support structure and wherein these first and / or second parts, however, have at least one flexibly formed area.

It is particularly advantageous if the method is carried out with a disposable element according to one of claims 1 to 10 and / or a system according to one of claims 11 to 13.

Further details and advantages of the invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing. It shows:

1 : A schematic sectional view through a system for pumping liquids.

1 shows in section an inventive system for pumping liquids, wherein a disposable element 10 in the receiving device of the otherwise only by the housing 110 with a recording 114 and the electromagnetic coil 120 shown system is recorded.

The disposable element 10 has a first part 12 on that as a flexible location 12 is trained. In the flexible first part 12 are channel structures 13 except from the second part 14 acting as a rigid cassette bottom 14 is executed, sealed. The flexible first part 12 is through a rigid support structure 16 worn, so the flexible location 12 between the carrier element 16 and the floor 14 is enclosed. The disposable element 10 is partially manufactured in the two-component injection molding process, with the flexible first part 12 and the rigid support structure 16 be manufactured in two-component injection molding. The floor 14 is glued on later. It is also conceivable that the ground 14 is formed by a foil.

The disposable element 10 is here as a disposable cassette 10 executed.

In the middle area of the disposable cassette 10 is the pumping chamber 20 an electromagnetically operated diaphragm pump. The pumping membrane 21 is a flexible area 21 part of the first part or the flexible first layer 12 is. The flexible area 21 rises like a dome from the situation 12 and penetrates the support structure 16 , The pumping membrane 21 has side walls formed of flexible elastomer 22 on, preferably as a circular circumferential continuous side wall 22 can be trained. The pumping chamber 20 is round, preferably circular in such a case. Assuming that the chamber floor by the location 14 or the second part 14 of the disposable element 10 is formed, so the pump chamber roof is through the wall area 24 of the flexible area 21 educated.

Basically, the disposable cassette 10 with the pumping chamber 20 be aligned arbitrarily, so used in vertical, horizontal or oblique orientation a corresponding recording and operated. The functionality of the diaphragm pump is not affected by this.

In this wall area 24 is the permanent magnet 30 that is completely off the flexible area 21 is sheathed. Due to the flexible structure and the dome-shaped geometry of the pumping membrane 21 this is self-resetting, that is the pumping membrane 21 returns in the unloaded state always by springback in the in 1 shown zero position back.

The pumping chamber 20 has an enema 26 and a spout 28 on, each at the end of an afferent or laxative channel structure 13 are arranged. The feeding channel structure 13 comes from the cassette inlet 60 that by means of a sealing element 62 to a fluid supply 40 can be connected. The sealing element 62 is by a tail, preferably annular extensions of the flexible layer 12 shaped, which is the carrier 16 penetrates. The fluid inlet 40 further includes a valve element 42 on, by means of which the inlet can be locked. The direction of the inflowing fluid F is indicated by arrows.

The cassette outlet 70 is essentially identical to the inlet 60 formed and also has a sealing element 72 on, the ring-shaped through the flexible location 12 is trained. The fluid drain 70 is with the drainage channel 50 connectable, wherein the drainage channel 50 a valve element 52 by means of which the drainage channel 50 is lockable.

Machine side is a support surface 100 provided on the support structure 16 can be hung up. The bearing surface 100 gets from the case 110 of the means for generating a magnetic field is broken. The means for generating a magnetic field is a coil 120 , which is completely encircled by the housing. Next, the housing 110 a recording 114 due to the geometry of the pumping membrane 21 is adjusted. Next, the housing 110 a cavity 112 in which, if necessary, an iron core for amplifying the magnetic field can be inserted.

The functioning of the in 1 shown system for pumping can be configured as follows: By means of the electromagnet 120 a magnetic field is applied so that the permanent magnet 30 repelled and towards the wall 14 is driven. At the same time the valve element 42 be closed to prevent backflow, and it must be the valve element 52 be open to allow an outflow of the fluid F. By switching off the magnetic field or the electromagnet 120 turns the pumping membrane 21 himself back. Advantageously, at the moment of reset already the valve element 52 closed and the valve element 42 open, allowing fluid F back into the pumping chamber 20 can flow. Then the valve is again 42 closed and the valve 52 opened and through the electromagnet 120 the magnetic field applied so that by repelling the permanent magnet 30 again a displacement of fluid from the pumping chamber 20 takes place.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 10239597 A1 [0002]
• US 6261065 B1 [0003]
• US 2007/0278155 A1 [0004]
• DE 589398 [0005]
• DE 19963306 A1 [0006]
• US 4459977 [0007]
• US 4498850 [0008]
• WO 2006/123329 A2 [0009]

Claims (15)

Disposable element ( 10 ) consisting of at least a first part ( 12 ), in which channel structures ( 13 ), and a second part (11 14 ), the first part ( 12 ) and / or the second part ( 14 ) are rigidly formed for the most part and / or on a rigid support structure ( 16 ) and / or are and these first and / or second parts ( 12 . 14 ) but at least one flexibly formed area ( 21 ), characterized in that the at least one flexible area ( 21 ) at least one permanent magnet ( 30 ) and / or at least one permanent magnetic region, so that by applying a magnetic field by means of the flexible region ( 21 ) Liquid is displaceable. Disposable element ( 10 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the disposable element ( 10 ) is produced by a method in which rigid and flexible regions of the first and / or second part ( 12 . 14 ) are manufactured in one piece by means of two-component injection molding. Disposable element ( 10 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that support structure ( 16 ) and / or first and / or second part ( 12 . 14 ) are manufactured in one piece by means of two-component injection molding. Disposable element ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one flexible area ( 21 ) with the permanent magnet ( 30 ) and / or the permanent magnetic region is chamber-like and / or dome-shaped. Disposable element ( 10 ) according to claim 4, characterized in that the chamber-like flexible area ( 21 ) a pumping chamber ( 20 ) is a diaphragm pump. Disposable element ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible area ( 21 ) at least one inlet ( 26 ) and at least one process ( 28 ), wherein feed ( 26 ) and expiration ( 28 ) each by a channel structure ( 13 ) and / or to a channel structure ( 13 ) are connected. Disposable element ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the permanent magnet ( 30 ) and / or the permanent-magnetic region is an insert that is completely separated from the flexible region ( 21 ) is sheathed. Disposable element ( 10 ) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the permanent magnet ( 30 ) and / or the permanent magnetic region in a part of the flexible region ( 21 ), which faces a wall, so that by applying a magnetic field with a first orientation of the flexible area ( 21 ) is movable in the direction of the wall and / or that by applying a magnetic field with a second orientation of the flexible area ( 21 ) is movable away from the wall. Disposable element ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible area ( 21 ) a circumferentially concave side wall ( 22 ) facing the area ( 24 ) with the permanent magnet ( 30 ) and / or the permanent magnetic region reducing diameter. Disposable element ( 10 ) according to claim 9, characterized in that the side wall ( 22 ) and pressing the flexible area ( 21 ) opposes a spring force, the self-resetting of the flexible area ( 21 ) causes. System for pumping comprising a disposable element ( 10 ) according to one of claims 1 to 10 and a receiving device into which the disposable element ( 10 ), wherein the system comprises at least one means for generating a magnetic field by means of which the flexible region ( 21 ) of the disposable element ( 10 ) with the at least one permanent magnet ( 30 ) and / or at least one permanent magnetic region is movable. System according to claim 11, characterized in that the receiving device the disposable element ( 10 ) engages positively and / or that the means for generating a magnetic field, an electromagnetic coil ( 120 ), preferably an electromagnetic coil provided with an iron core ( 120 ), wherein the electromagnetic coil ( 120 ) in a housing ( 110 ) with a recording ( 114 ) for the flexible area ( 21 ) is arranged. System according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the system is a blood treatment device, in particular a dialysis machine, and / or an analysis system. Method for pumping a liquid, in particular a medical liquid, characterized in that by applying a magnetic field, a flexible region ( 21 ) with at least one permanent magnet ( 30 ) and / or with at least one permanent-magnetic region of a disposable element ( 10 ) the liquid is displaced, wherein the disposable element ( 10 ) from at least a first part ( 12 ), in which in the surface Channel structures ( 13 ), and a second part (11 14 ), the first part ( 12 ) and / or the second part ( 14 ) are rigidly formed for the most part and / or on a rigid support structure ( 16 ) and wherein these first and / or second parts ( 12 . 14 ) but at least one flexibly formed area ( 21 ) exhibit. A method according to claim 14, characterized in that the method is carried out with a disposable element according to one of claims 1 to 10 and / or a system according to one of claims 11 to 13.

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